The following are the results of the maintenance that occurred on Sep. 3, 2013 from around 5:00 p.m. to Sep. 4, 2013 around 3 a.m. (PDT).

-Alleviating Stress on Duty Finder Servers This maintenance has implemented countermeasures to alleviate the stress on servers. Previously, matching took place across all servers in the various region data centers, but following this maintenance, matching will now take place within the selected groups below.

-Login Restrictions In the time period just after maintenance has completed, we predict a rush of characters logging in simultaneously. In order to prevent any technical difficulties due to this login rush, we will be temporarily placing severe login restrictions. These login restrictions may occur frequently, lasting from a few minutes to ten minutes; however, restrictions will be lifted in a gradual manner as login status is carefully monitored. We ask for your patience and understanding in this matter.

Furthermore, as a result of the countermeasures taken to alleviate stress on the Duty Finder servers, we expect to be able to increase the number of players able to login simultaneously; however, if those login numbers still surpass the maximum number of possible logins in the various Worlds, please be aware that we will continue to implement login restrictions.

-Regarding Limits on New Character Creation As a result of this maintenance, it is now possible to accommodate an increased number of simultaneous logins in the various Worlds; therefore, we have now lifted the New Character Creation restrictions in the majority of Worlds in which restrictions were in effect. New players who are just starting a game or those who would simply like to create a new character can do so by finding a World which has had the restrictions lifted, and creating a character there.

Please note that there is a tendency for characters to become concentrated in certain Worlds, causing login numbers to jump up in those particular Worlds. In order to create a population balance between Worlds, we will continue to be implementing New Character Creation restrictions in overly congested Worlds.

We will monitor the situation, and in the event restrictions may be lifted, follow-up news posts will be posted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and ask for your patience and understanding.

-Addition of New Worlds With this maintenance, preparation for the addition of new Worlds has been completed.

Although it is possible to add several new Worlds due to load balancing on servers, an increased number of players able to login simultaneously to various Worlds, and New Character Creation being possible again on various Worlds as a result of this maintenance, we will only be adding a minimal number of Worlds at this time directly after maintenance.

Please note that, after a new World opens, we predict players will be concentrated in that specific World. In order to create a population balance, please be aware that we will be implementing New Character Creation restrictions or login restrictions in overly congested Worlds.

We will continue with the addition of new Worlds as we monitor the login situation and public opinion in real time, and updates of any new Worlds will be posted.

Although it is possible to add several new Worlds due to load balancing on servers, an increased number of players able to login simultaneously to various Worlds, and New Character Creation being possible again on various Worlds as a result of this maintenance, we will only be adding a minimal number of Worlds at this time directly after maintenance.

I'd rather have more people per world than more worlds. It's more fun when things are densely populated.

Until you try to farm something to level your crafting only to find out there is only one group of mobs in the entire world that drop it and everyone and their mother is farming it as well.

But that's more of an oversight on SE's part. there should have been a larger spread of monsters that drop crafting materials.

That's not an oversight, that's working as intended. Yoshi didn't want to allow people to grind in the open world thus lower number of over all mobs along with lower exp and the fact mobs drop more if you're in a party is working as intended.

Due to countermeasures implemented during the recent maintenance to alleviate heavy server load to the Duty Finder and Duty-related Worlds, it is now possible for the various Worlds to accommodate a greatly increased number of simultaneous user logins. Currently, the number of simultaneous logins allowed is set to a maximum of 7,500-7,800 as we carefully monitor the servers’ stability.

For this reason, we are currently implementing login restrictions any time the number of simultaneous logins exceeds the set maximum number.

We will continue real-time monitoring of the situation in an effort to provide the best possible gameplay experience for everyone.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and ask for your patience and understanding.

*Groupings are determined by balancing levels, number of people, class/jobs, and adjusted so as to help provide a smooth matching process.

Due to countermeasures implemented during the recent maintenance to alleviate heavy server load to the Duty Finder and Duty-related Worlds, it is now possible for the various Worlds to accommodate a greatly increased number of simultaneous user logins. Currently, the number of simultaneous logins allowed is set to a maximum of 7,500-7,800 as we carefully monitor the servers’ stability.

For this reason, we are currently implementing login restrictions any time the number of simultaneous logins exceeds the set maximum number.

We will continue real-time monitoring of the situation in an effort to provide the best possible gameplay experience for everyone.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and ask for your patience and understanding.

*Groupings are determined by balancing levels, number of people, class/jobs, and adjusted so as to help provide a smooth matching process.

I get the feeling that the login restrictions have more to do with the number of people spamming the login server versus the number of people who are already connections.

So, simultaneous logins does not equal simultaneous connections... does that sound right?

That's how I understand it. The login servers cannot handle 7,500 (or more) people trying to log in at once. Which is exactly what happens after a maintenance.

Also, I'm thinking their are still more than 7,500 accounts that have access to each server (all accounts potentially have access to all servers). So there is still potential for simply more people trying to login then is possible.

It's going to really take more time to spread out the load, and we haven't heard a word of world transfers. This is just the first step in what will be lengthly process of getting each World's max population to better match the maximum demand.

What isn't coming across very well in the translations it that this is just the first step, so they can figure out what the next step needs to be.